Section 5-903 - Statewide program established; application of subtitle; Department's duties; regulations. - Maryland Statutes

§ 5-903. Statewide program established; application of subtitle; Department's duties; regulations.
 

(a)  Statewide program established; application of subtitle.- There is a statewide program within the Department for the conservation, regulation, enhancement, creation, monitoring, and wise use of nontidal wetlands. 

(b)  Department's duties.- The Department shall: 

(1) Coordinate with other State agencies, federal agencies, other states, local governments, and interested persons in the regulation of nontidal wetlands; 

(2) Assist local governments in undertaking nontidal wetland management planning, including mapping, technical assistance, and expediting the permit process; 

(3) Develop certification programs to ensure uniform and professional standards for the identification, delineation, functional assessment, and mitigation of nontidal wetlands; 

(4) Evaluate proposed activities on nontidal wetlands and grant or deny permits or other approvals of proposed activities; 

(5) Conduct watershed studies and educational programs and disseminate information concerning the nontidal wetlands program; 

(6) Prepare, adopt, and periodically revise guidance maps of nontidal wetlands; 

(7) Adopt standards for planning, regulating, restoring, creating, and enhancing nontidal wetlands; 

(8) Purchase, restore, and create nontidal wetlands; and 

(9) Conduct periodic monitoring, cumulative impact assessment, and evaluation of activities authorized under this subtitle. 

(c)  Regulations.- By December 31, 1989 the Department shall adopt final regulations necessary to administer this subtitle, in accordance with § 10-111 (a) of the State Government Article. 
 

[1989, ch. 536; 1990, ch. 6, § 2; 1993, ch. 141; 1995, ch. 488, § 1.]